36th Norwalk Boat Show on tap for Sept. 22-25

Chris Bosak

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, July 28, 2011

With new hands-on boating education, sales on hundreds of boats and marine accessories, and several new attractions for all ages, now everyone can discover why life is better with a boat at the 2011 Norwalk Boat Show, September 22-25 at Norwalk Cove Marina. The northeast’s premier in-water boat show cruises into the seaside town of Norwalk to give boating novices and lifelong enthusiasts the chance to see and shop the best in boating, stay “current” on must-have gadgets and gear, experience on-the-water educational courses and activities on Long Island Sound through the new Discover Boating Resource Center, and go full sail at the new SAILFest. Visitors will find some of the best deals of the season with competitive bargains and exclusive show specials on hundreds of luxury motor and sailing yachts, sport fishers, performance boats, and sailboats, plus the largest selection of marine accessories, during four days of family fun on the water.

“There is no better place to experience boating than at the Norwalk Boat Show,” said Jon Pritko, show manager. “Not only can visitors come here to compare boat brands and find great deals, but this year, take full advantage of our waterside with the launch of a new series of on-the-water, interactive boating courses for boaters of all experience levels, or just relax and enjoy the boating lifestyle through a variety of nautical attractions the whole family will enjoy.”

Special features at the 2011 Norwalk Boat Show include:

· NEW! Meet “Unsinkable” Abby Sunderland - Meet the girl who, at sixteen years old, set sail from Marina Del Ray, California in a quest to become the youngest solo sailor ever to circumnavigate the globe. Hear first-hand about the exact moment a rogue wave capsized and dismasted her boat, Wild Eyes, in the Indian Ocean five months and 12,500 miles into her journey. Snap a photo and get an autographed copy of her new book "Unsinkable: A Young Woman's Courageous Battle on the High Seas," in which she describes how her faith and training got her through the frightening ordeal. Saturday, September 24 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, September 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

· NEW! Hang with the Harris Boys, Sons of the Late Captain Phil Harris from Discovery Channel’s hit TV show Deadliest Catch! Catch a chance to meet and greet some of the most daring deckhands on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch: Josh and Jake Harris. More than a year since their father’s passing, the brothers remain hooked on the family fishing tradition and continue to carry on his legacy aboard one of the best-known crab boats in America, the Cornelia Marie. Friday, September 23 from 4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, September 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

· NEW! ‘All Hands on Deck’ at the Discover Boating Resource Center - Boaters of all ages can take advantage of a variety of FREE interactive and educational on-the-water programs to hone their boating skills. Courses include; close quarter boat handling; an introduction to sailing; and much more.

· NEW! SAILFest - In addition to free Discover Sailing on-the-water training, the Norwalk Boat Show is THE destination for sailors to shop the newest sailboats and must-have accessories; learn the latest from the experts during daily free seminars; and gather to celebrate the end of sailing season and share stories at the Latitudes & Attitudes Cruiser’s Bash on Saturday night from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free for all visitors, the Bash will feature the tropical tunes of Eric Stone, who traveled all the way from the British Virgin Islands to set the mood for the ultimate boating party. Enjoy FREE beer and pizza…plus, “reel” in one of the raffle prizes valued at more than $10,000.

· Get a Hull of a Deal! There’s a boat for every lifestyle and budget, and visitors can find their ideal vessel at the expanded Affordability Pavilion, featuring boats that can be financed for less than $250 per month.

· Kids’ Cove - Junior boaters can get their feet wet navigating around a mini-lake in their very own paddleboat. Other fun activities include a kids’ slide, bounce house and sand art, plus the chance to meet Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants September 24-25 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Tickets are now available at BoatShowNorwalk.com. Adults are $14; children 15 and under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult. Enjoy a $3 discount per ticket for groups of 10-30 people and a $5 discount per ticket for groups of 31 people or more.

The 36th annual Norwalk Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.